Supply and demand for independently certified and non-certified wood products in Bolivia

In 2005, officers of GFTN’s arm in Bolivia were becoming increasingly concerned that the supply of certified wood in Bolivia was not finding its way to the marketplace despite the fact that Bolivia leads the world in area of certified forest. In an effort to understand this situation, WWF commissioned a market study to compile information on supply and demand of forest products in Bolivia and to identify the principle buyers of Bolivian forest products both inside and outside the country.

Based on the resulting study carried out by HIB Latin America, WWF and the Bolivia FTN published a report–Supply and Demand for Independently Certified and Non-Certified Wood Products in Bolivia–which has been fundamental in helping the Bolivia FTN link Bolivian producers of certified forest products with the buyers participating in the GFTN. In addition, the information contained in the report has supported the development of a national initiative on responsible purchasing of forest products which aims to create awareness among Bolivian buyers of the advantages and availability of legal, well-managed, and certified products.

Most recently, the Bolivia FTN signed an agreement with the Municipal Government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra under which the city agreed to adopt a responsible purchasing policy for forest products. The policy is an official statement by the city agreeing to progressively increase the proportion of its forest products such as school desks and building supplies obtained from legal, wellmanaged, and certified sources. The agreement also includes the self-naming of Santa Cruz de la Sierra as the “World Capital of Certified Native Tropical Forests” and the designation of a public area–a part of the Canal Isuto walkway–to symbolically represent Bolivia’s leadership in forest certification. In addition to the practical objective of boosting markets for forest products from well-managed Bolivian forests, the agreement between WWF and the city is meant to contribute to public perception of the value of forests.